The ability to look at the mundane and see extraordinary details is pretty much a superpower for Shi Han. Together with her partner Jie Xin, they document a snapshot of the life of your average Joe. You’ve probably seen it online through Human Edition. With almost 70,000 followers on Instagram and over a million views on TikTok, she’s the picture of internet success.
From the outside looking in, it may appear as though it all happened overnight for Shi Han—her first post on the short-form video platform generated over 100,000 views. However, there’s a lot of elbow grease that goes into generating these slice-of-life stories. And her path to get to where she is today is not without its trials and tribulations. Hailing from Kedah, the then-starry-eyed graduate grabbed the opportunity to work abroad in Singapore. A couple of years in, the enchantment wore off and she found herself contemplating earning her Master’s in architecture. It wasn’t meant to be, and with one foot already out the door, the 28-year-old pulled the trigger: she quit her job and headed back to her hometown of Alor Setar.
It wasn’t until Langkawi that she saw the remarkable lives that needed to be documented. “My job at Bon Ton Resort required me to get in touch with creatives like Pamela Tan of Poh Sin Studio and photojournalist Annice Lyn. I would show them around the island and we’d talk about the potential creative collaborations, and how we could showcase the culture there. Our exchanges cemented what I knew to be true: that I needed to do something about it,” she says. As a result, her book project, Humans of Langkawi was put into motion. Then, it quickly got an online presence; except this time, it’s in a wider scope.
The videos spread like wildfire. Human Edition’s content resonated with a huge segment of viewers who were hungry for real-life depictions. This spurred Shi Han on. She went from capturing the skateboarding culture in Langkawi to documenting a Malaysian who left the Big Apple for a farmer’s life in Italy. “She discovered us via Instagram and messaged us with an invitation to visit her. And so we did,” she gushes. From just a day’s visit, that video went on to rake in 135,000 views.
“I don’t really script the interviews for Human Edition. The reality is that sometimes the most interesting parts of these people are things they don’t communicate verbally. Plus, they get shy once the camera goes on. My trick is to just ask them to go about their day, and we’ll just film. It’s only later my voice-over comes in to put the details into words.”
Langkawi has also taught her that city life isn’t the only template for the good life. Yes, urban living does have its allure, but ultimately, for Shi Han, what she has today ticks a lot of boxes. “The people helped me realise that it’s not impossible to pursue the lifestyle you want and then build a career around it to sustain it. There, I experience a different kind of thriving—I get to slow down and take a closer look at things. There isn’t any noise to distract you, and I get to explore really explosive and original ideas that can have greater impact,” she acknowledges.
Now that she has a sizeable portfolio, the documentarian sets her sight beyond just the island. She wishes to expand her endeavours at Studio Hued, offering her expertise and eye for detail to businesses. Once Human of Langkawi hit the shelves, she also expressed her interest in extending the Humans of universe to include other parts of the country.
On her capers for these tales, certain items are totally non-negotiable for her. Aside from sunscreen, a fully-charged phone, her Docs—”these are literally the only pair of shoes I own!”—and an open mind, sunglasses are also at the top of the list. She’s gotten into the habit of prioritising sun protection, and the Maui Jim’s Ekahi collection comes with the proprietary PolarizedPlus2® technology which has anti-reflective treatment, UV and blue light protection, and scratch resistance, all in one to keep her eyes fresh for the next big story for Human Edition.
Photography: Edmund Lee
Makeup: Japhet Bong
Hair: Ckay Liow
Photography Assistant: Zane Chang
Shi Han wears a matching set by All Saints.